INTRODUCTION TO GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE HOW WE CAN PROTECT OUR COMMUNITIES AND OUR WATERS Maywood Public Library Bergen County, New Jersey Jeremiah D. Bergstrom, LLA, ASLA Rutgers Cooperative Extension Water Resources Program E-mail: jbergstrom@envsci.rutgers.edu February 26, 2013
What is stormwater? Stormwater is the water from rain or melting snows that can become runoff, flowing over the ground surface and returning to lakes and streams.
1. What is a watershed? 2. Where does precipitation go? 3. Land Use/Land Cover Changes 4. Nonpoint Source Pollution 5. How can we better manage stormwater? OVERVIEW
WHAT IS A WATERSHED? An area of land that water flows across, through, or under on its way to a stream, river, lake, ocean or other body of water. A watershed is like one big bathtub... Do you know what a watershed is? Courtesy of Texas Watershed Stewards, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
HYDROLOGIC CYCLE Courtesy of www.fgmorph.com
WHERE DOES PRECIPITATION GO? 1. It can run off Courtesy of Texas Watershed Stewards, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
WHERE DOES PRECIPITATION GO? 2. It can be absorbed by plants and used for photosynthesis and other biological processes Courtesy of Texas Watershed Stewards, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
WHERE DOES PRECIPITATION GO? 3. It can infiltrate through the soil surface and percolate downward to groundwater aquifers Courtesy of Texas Watershed Stewards, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
WHERE DOES PRECIPITATION GO? 4. It can evaporate Courtesy of Texas Watershed Stewards, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
The Impact of Development on Stormwater Runoff 10% 20% 30% 55% More development More impervious surfaces More stormwater runoff
LAND USE/LAND COVER CHANGES LAND USE HOW LAND IS USED BY HUMANS: AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY URBAN RESIDENTIAL RECREATION LAND COVER BIOLOGICAL AND PHYSICAL FEATURES OF THE LAND: FORESTS GRASSLANDS AGRICULTURAL FIELDS RIVERS, LAKES BUILDINGS, PARKING LOTS
LAND USE/LAND COVER CHANGES Courtesy of Texas Watershed Stewards, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
The Urban Hydrologic Cycle
WATER POLLUTION SOURCES POINT SOURCE POLLUTION NONPOINT SOURCE POLLUTION Environmental Health Perspective, National Institute of Health
POINT SOURCE POLLUTION Comes from a specific source, like a pipe Factories, industry, municipal treatment plants Can be monitored and controlled by a permit system (NPDES)
NONPOINT SOURCE POLLUTION Nonpoint Source (NPS) Pollution is pollution associated with stormwater or runoff NPS occurs when runoff collects pollutants on its way to a collection system or water body NPS pollution cannot be traced to a direct discharge point such as a wastewater treatment facility
NPS = People Pollution litter fertilizers animal waste grass clippings septic systems oil & grease from cars household cleaning products sewage & cleaners from boats These pollutants build up on the land then wash off
Fish and wildlife Recreational water activities Commercial fishing Tourism Drinking water quality IMPACT OF NPS
What are ways we can better manage stormwater in our community? Play
WHAT ARE OUR TOOLS? Green Infrastructure and Low Impact Development (LID)
Green Infrastructure is... an approach to stormwater management that is cost-effective, sustainable, and environmentally friendly. Green Infrastructure projects: capture, filter, absorb, and reuse stormwater to maintain or mimic natural systems and treat runoff as a resource.
Low Impact Development (LID) is
Green Roofs Green Infrastructure and LID includes: Rainwater Harvesting Tree Filter/Planter Boxes Rain Gardens/Bioretention Systems Permeable Pavements Vegetated Swales or Bioswales Natural Retention Basins Trees & Urban Forestry Green Streets Parker Urban Greenscapes. 2009.
Rainwater Harvesting FUNCTIONS Collecting, filtering and storing water from roof tops, paved and unpaved areas for multiple uses. Harvested water can be used for nonpotable or potable purposes after testing and treatment. Surplus water after usage can be used for recharging ground water. Systems can range in size from a simple PVC tank or cistern to a contractor designed and built tank/sump with water treatment facilities.
Rainwater Harvesting Samuel Mickle School Rainwater Harvesting System
Green Roofs FUNCTIONS COMPONENTS Improves stormwater management Improves air quality Temperature regulation (moderation of Urban Heat Island Effect) Carbon dioxide/oxygen exchange Increased urban wildlife habitat
Green Roof Design Modular System Specifications: Parker Urban Greenscapes. 2009.
Pervious Pavements Underlying stone reservoir that temporarily stores surface runoff before infiltrating into the subsoil Porous asphalt and pervious concrete are manufactured without "fine" materials, and incorporate void spaces to allow infiltration Grass pavers are concrete interlocking blocks or synthetic fibrous grid systems with open areas designed to allow grass to grow within the void areas Ideal application for porous pavement is to treat a low traffic or overflow parking area
Pervious Pavements FUNCTIONS COMPONENTS Manage stormwater runoff Minimize site disturbance Possibility of groundwater recharge Low life cycle costs, alternative to costly traditional stormwater management methods Mitigation of urban heat island effect Contaminant removal as water moves through layers of system
Pervious Pavement
Pervious Pavements
Bioretention Systems & Rain Gardens Traditional Approach Design Dry Detention Basin: Treat Water Quality Storm (1.25 rain over 24 hours) Detain for 18 hours (residential) or 36 hours (commercial) Minimum outflow orifice = three inches Use Concrete Low Flow Channels to Minimize Erosion New Approach Combines settling of detention basin with physical filtering and absorption processes Provides very high pollutant removal efficiencies More aesthetically pleasing than conventional detention basins Can be incorporated into the landscapes of individual homes
Bioretention Systems & Rain Gardens NJDEP. 2004. NJ Stormwater BMP Manual.
Bioretention Systems & Rain Gardens
Curb Extensions/Green Streets
Newark, NJ / 2010-2011 NEWARK ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
298 Sussex Avenue Newark, NJ Project: Community Gardens + Rain Gardens Partner: Greater Newark Conservancy, City of Newark Funding: NJDEP 319h Environmental Justice Funds ($200,000)
298 Sussex Avenue Newark, NJ Installation Photos with GNC Clean & Green Team
298 Sussex Avenue Newark, NJ Installation Photos with GNC Clean & Green Team
298 Sussex Avenue Newark, NJ Completed Rain Garden Excavation - Ready for Planting
298 Sussex Avenue Newark, NJ Sussex Avenue School of Arts & Sciences Ms. Waters 6 th Grade Class Planting
298 Sussex Avenue Newark, NJ Sussex Avenue School of Arts & Sciences Ms. Waters 6 th Grade Class Planting
298 Sussex Avenue Newark, NJ Sussex Avenue School of Arts & Sciences Ms. Waters 6 th Grade Class Planting
298 Sussex Avenue Newark, NJ Sussex Avenue School of Arts & Sciences After School Program Tree Planting with New Jersey Tree Foundation
298 Sussex Avenue Newark, NJ Sussex Avenue School of Arts & Sciences After School Program Tree Planting with New Jersey Tree Foundation
298 Sussex Avenue Newark, NJ Sussex Avenue School of Arts & Sciences After School Program Tree Planting with New Jersey Tree Foundation
298 Sussex Avenue Newark, NJ Above Ground Cistern Installation Workshop with Rainwater Harvest Company
298 Sussex Avenue Newark, NJ Above Ground Cistern Installation Workshop with Rainwater Harvest Company
298 Sussex Avenue Newark, NJ Above Ground Cistern Installation Workshop with Rainwater Harvest Company
298 Sussex Avenue Newark, NJ Above Ground Cistern Installation Completed
298 Sussex Avenue Newark, NJ Above Ground Cistern Installation Completed
IN 10 YEARS... HERE IS WHAT WE LEARNED
The Hydrologic Cycle
We must deal with impacts from impervious cover Are there impervious surfaces that you can eliminate? If we can't eliminate it, can we reduce it? If we can't eliminate or reduce it, can we disconnect it? Are there impervious surfaces that you can harvest rainwater for reuse? Are there conveyance systems that can be converted to bioswales?
Connected or Disconnected?
For 1.25 inch storm, 3,811 cubic feet of runoff = 28,500 gallons 1 acre directly connected impervious cover Total drainage area = 3 acres 2 acres pervious cover Runoff Direction Stormwater Inlet
For 1.25 inch storm, 581 cubic feet of runoff = 4,360 gallons 1 acre directly connected impervious cover Total drainage area = 3 acres 2 acres pervious cover Runoff Direction Stormwater Inlet
Volume of Runoff Design Storm Connected (gallons) Disconnected (gallons) Percent Difference 1.25 inches (water quality storm) 28,500 4,360 85% Impervious area is now disconnected from flowing directly into the storm sewer system
County Table 3-3: New Jersey 24-Hour Rainfall Frequency Data Rainfall amounts in Inches 1- Year 2- Year Rainfall Frequency Data 5- Year 10- Year 25- Year 50- Year 100- Year Atlantic 2.8 3.3 4.3 5.2 6.5 7.6 8.9 Bergen 2.8 3.3 4.3 5.1 6.3 7.3 8.4 Burlington 2.8 3.4 4.3 5.2 6.4 7.6 8.8 Camden 2.8 3.3 4.3 5.1 6.3 7.3 8.5 Cumberland 2.8 3.3 4.2 5.1 6.4 7.5 8.8 Gloucester 2.8 3.3 4.2 5.0 6.2 7.3 8.5 Hudson 2.7 3.3 4.2 5.0 6.2 7.2 8.3 Hunterdon 2.9 3.4 4.3 5.0 6.1 7.0 8.0 Mercer 2.8 3.3 4.2 5.0 6.2 7.2 8.3
Volume of Runoff Design Storm Connected (gallons) Disconnected (gallons) Percent Difference 1.25 inches (water quality storm) 28,500 4,360 85% 5.0 inches (10-year storm) 219,915 185,365 16%
Disconnection with Rain Water Harvesting Disconnect your downspout by installing a rain barrel
So Many Barrels to Choose From
RCE Programs that can help Build-A-Rain Barrel Workshops www.water.rutgers.edu Rain Barrel Co-op www.water.rutgers.edu Train-the-Trainer Program www.tinyurl.com/rainbarreltrainer
Disconnection with Rain Gardens Rooftop runoff is now disconnected from flowing directly into the storm sewer system
Lots of Rain Gardens
RCE Programs that can help www.water.rutgers.edu Stormwater Management in Your Backyard Stormwater Management in Your School Yard Rain Garden Certification Program Rain Garden Training for Professional Landscapers Rain Garden Rebate Program
Questions? Jeremiah D. Bergstrom, LLA, ASLA jbergstrom@envsci.rutgers.edu